The call sounds exactly like the owner. They’re in a hurry, a vendor payment is late, and they need a wire sent before the end of the day. It’s not them. AI tools can now copy a person’s voice from a short recording, such as a video on social media or a voicemail greeting.
In 2025 the FBI warned that criminals were using AI-generated voice messages to impersonate senior U.S. officials and gain the trust of the people they contacted. The same approach works on businesses.
What these calls have in common
- Urgency. It has to happen now, before anyone can check.
- Secrecy. “Don’t mention this to anyone yet.”
- A change from normal. A new bank account, gift cards, a payment method you don’t usually use.
- A move to another channel. “Text me on this number instead,” or a link to continue the conversation somewhere else.
The rule that stops most of them
Hang up and call back on a number you already have. Not the number that called you and not one given in the message. Use the number in your phone or your company directory. A real request survives a two-minute call back. A scam usually doesn’t.
Make it a written rule
- Any request to send money, change bank details or share login information gets a call back on a known number.
- Agree a simple check phrase among the people who approve payments.
- No one gets in trouble for slowing down a payment to check.
- Report a suspicious call to whoever handles your IT and security, and to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.
Train your team before it happens
We made a free guide on AI voice scams for business owners and their teams, as part of our Safe AI at Work series.
Frequently asked questions
How do AI voice scams work?
Criminals use AI tools to copy a person's voice from a short recording, such as a social media video or voicemail greeting. They call or leave a message that sounds like a boss, coworker or family member, usually asking for an urgent payment, a bank change or login details.
How can I tell if a call is an AI voice scam?
Watch for urgency, requests for secrecy, unusual payment methods and pressure to move to another number or app. The most reliable check is simple: hang up and call the person back on a number you already have, not one given in the call or message.
Where do I report an AI voice scam?
Tell whoever handles your IT and security, and report it to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov with as much detail as you can, including the number, time and what was asked for.
Get the free AI voice scams guide.
Source: FBI warning reported by Malwarebytes, “Scammers are using AI to impersonate senior officials, warns FBI” (May 22, 2025).
General information for business owners. It isn’t legal, compliance or insurance advice for your specific situation.
